With an office in Alexandria, Virginia, attorney William J. Kovatch, Jr. provides quality immigration law services to individuals and businesses. This blog explores recent developments in immigration law, from immigration reform to court cases affecting immigration issues. To put this experienced immigration lawyer to work for you, call now for an appointment: (703) 837-8832.
Se habla espanol: (571) 551-6069

Banner

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The Arlington Immigration Court granted withholding of removal to a young man from El Salvador who had been a victim of gang violence.

About three years ago, the young man was shot and left for dead when he was unable to pay the quota that members of MS-13 demanded from him for the privilege of living in their territory. The man testified that he was a target for extortion because his father was a former member of the El Salvadoran military.

U.S. law provides that an alien must be granted withholding of removal if an Immigration Judge finds that it is more probable than not that the alien's life and liberty will be in jeopardy because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group if returned to his or her home country. I this case, the Immigration Judge found that the young man had suffered past persecution because of being an immediate family member of a former military member.

The young man had presented evidence that the gangs in El Salvador act like a quasi-government, often controlling territory and demanding rent, or a quota, from the people who live there. The gangs have become so dominant, that the El Salvadoran police are unable to provide protection to residents.

As recipient of withholding of removal, the young man may live and work in the United States. But withholding of removal does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.

About Me

William J. Kovatch, Jr. is a lawyer practicing immigration law in the Northern Virginia and metropolitan Washington, DC area. With an office in Alexandria, he is conveniently located near the Immigration Court in Arlington, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Field Office in Fairfax, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Field Office in Fairfax. William handles all immigration matters: employment immigration, family immigration, asylum applications and removal/deportation proceedings.